(ROCKWALL, TX – July 27, 2015) The kids of JER Chilton YMCA’s Angel Camp program donned their cowboy best for a rootin’ tootin’ time at a cowboy-themed dance party marking the end of summer camp on Friday.
Cardboard replicas of John Wayne and other assorted western-themed décor were scattered around the YMCA’s gymnasium. Chiloso’s in Rockwall provided a delicious Mexican feast to the guests, and each camper received a special award during the event. Heath Mayor Lorne Liechty also made a special appearance and gave out the awards to the kids.
“The Y does so many wonderful things for the community, and Angel Camp is one of those fabulous things,” Liechty said. “It really provides a service to everyone in our community, and creates the opportunity for them to come here and enjoy camp in the summer and have a great time.”
The JER Chilton YMCA at Rockwall provides its Angel Camp program to the community as a way for children with special needs ages 5-18 to have a camp experience they otherwise might not be able to have. The program emphasizes youth development, healthy living and social responsibility in an environment that allows unique children to explore and create with the support their needs require. Kids in the Angel Camp program can expect a mixture of entertaining activities on a daily basis, including crafts, songs, games, outdoor activities, BB’s, archery, canoeing and an hour of swim time at the pool.
For the second year in a row, Dodie’s Cajun Diner at The Harbor donated the proceeds from its Annual Crawfish Fest to the YMCA so that it can continue to offer Angel Camp at no charge to the parents – only a one-time registration fee.
Dodie’s co-owner Gabe Nicolella and Dodie’s manager Dan Keils presented the check in the amount of $5,300 during the event.
“This is our second year doing this for the YMCA, and I just want to say it’s a pleasure supporting this great cause,” Nicollela said.
Congrats to the following award winners of the event:
Zoe Grace Bivins: Most Sassy
Vincent Cipriano: Most Energetic
Parker Clem: Most Selfless
Jacob Ferrebee: Mr. Zombie Apocalypse
Katlyn Ferrebee: Best Sibling
Landon Methvin: Yoga Master
Eric Mikulski: Mr. Slurpee
James Nance: Best Dance Moves
Kwame Owusu-Ansah: Best Friend
John Paul Rios: Most Helpful
Evan Nguyen: Most Observant
Jessica Shields: Most Grown Up
Taylor Turner: Best Smile
Brooks Vohden: Best Glasses
Emma Vohden: Most Camp Spirit
Dakota Aaron: Captain Jack Sparrow
Wade Claeson: Best Swimmer
Oomer Chaudhary: Full of Surprises
Haden Ellington: Mr. Lightning McQueen
Austin Figeac: Best Memory
Lexi Hartnett: Biggest Wardrobe
Heath Heydenreich: Best Humor
Wyatt Heydenreich: Most Photogenic
Taylor Howell: Most Likely To Be A Comedian
Caden Lindey: Mr. 20 Questions
Kiari Perez: Miss Go With The Flow
Taylor Scheurer: Miss Moon Moon Moon
For more information on Angel Camp, contact Camp Director Melissa Cotner at melissacotner@gmail.com or JER Chilton YMCA Executive Director Bonnie LaVielle at blavielle@ymcadallas.org, or call the Y at 972-772-9622.
Story and photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News staff writer and reporter.
To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
Please click here to LIKE our Facebook page, so we can reach more people with good news like this!
Rockwall YMCA Angel Campers end summer camp with boot scootin’ party added by Editor on
View all posts by Editor →